Auto Roundup: March Retail Sales Mostly Showing Deceleration From Last Year

Auto manufacturers on Wednesday released U.S. March retail sales data which mostly showed deceleration in sales.

Here is a breakdown.

General Motors: Total Sales Down 2 Percent

General Motors Company GM reported that it delivered 249,875 vehicles in March in the U.S., representing a decrease of 2 percent compared to the same month a year ago. Fleet deliveries rose 5 percent and retail deliveries fell 5 percent.

Total sales of trucks, including pickups, vans and SUVs rose 14 percent as Chevrolet reported its March pickup sales since 2007 with sales of the Silverado up 7 percent and the new Colorado repeating as the industry's fastest-selling pickup for the second straight month.

"As the economy gained steam throughout 2014, we knew 2015 would be a strong year for trucks," said Kurt McNeil, General Motors' U.S. vice president of sales operations. "Higher demand dovetailed perfectly with the launches of our new full-size pickups and large SUVs. Low fuel prices and the successful launches of the Chevrolet Colorado and Trax made us even more bullish."

Ford Motor: Total Sales Lower By 3 Percent

Ford Motor Company F reported it sold 235,929 vehicles in the U.S. during March, marking a drop of 3 percent. Retail sales were up 1 percent while fleet sales were down 13 percent.

Ford added that retail demand for its F-Series truck was "strong" with retail sales up 10 percent. The company also noted that assembly has resumed in Kansas City, which is building the all-new regular cab and extended-box F-150 trucks.

"Our retail performance was driven by gains across our utility van and truck lineups with strong consumer acceptance of the all-new F-150." said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service. "We are especially pleased to post our best retail March sales performance in nine years, despite tight supply across our F-Series lineup."

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: Total Sales Increased By 2 Percent

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV FCAU reported it sold 197,261 vehicles in the U.S. during March, marking an increase of 2 percent, marking the 60th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

The company noted that its Jeep brand recorded its best sales month ever with 71,584 vehicles sold, representing a 23 percent increase from a year ago. Chrysler brand sales rose 15 percent while Ram Truck sales rose 1 percent. Dodge sales fell 24 percent and Fiat sales dipped 5 percent.

"March was a tough month, yet we were able to extend our year-over-year sales streak to an even 60-consecutive months," said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales. "Five years of consecutive monthly year-over-year sales increases is a great symbol of Fiat Chrysler's commitment to continuous improvement and a tremendous source of pride for our entire organization."

Posted In: Newsauto salesChryslerF-SeriesFiatFordGMJeepKurt McNeilMark LaNevepickup trucksReid BiglandSilverado
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